Wire joints let this ornament dance and play

By Ruth Chopp

Why do ornaments have to just hang on the tree? I prefer ornaments, like this angel and her pirate friend, that can move. Wire joints add motion, and the easy beaded decoration is sure to catch the light.

Making the Angel

Step 1: Transfer the patterns for all of the pieces to the wood, drill the indicated holes and any blade-entry holes, and cut the pieces. Sand each arm dowel to a point for the hands.

Step 2: Paint all of the pieces as desired and let dry thoroughly. Use a piece of wire to clean all of the holes.

Step 4: To make the beaded flower, cut six 8″ (20.3cm)-long pieces of #28 aluminum wire (one for each petal). Add a small silver bead to one wire and then add a clear bead. Repeat until you add five clear and six silver beads. Pull the two ends of the wire through two adjoining holes in the body. Pull the wires tight and twist them together into a circle to secure the petal. Repeat for the remaining petals. Push a circular metal bead holder into the middle of the petals. Thread a large pink bead onto a 4″ (10.2cm)-long piece of wire. Feed the ends of the wire through the center hole for the flower and secure it on the back.

Step 3: Attach the arms and legs with short lengths of #28 black wire. Pass the wire through both arms and the body, and secure it with small twists at each shoulder. The legs dangle from wire loops that pass through the lower body and are twisted together at the back of the ornament.

Step 5: To add the stem, bend a piece of #12 aluminum wire to shape and use #28 aluminum wire to secure it to the body. Use scissors or tin snips to cut the leaves. Use a stylus to press freeform veins into them, and then either drill or punch small holes as marked. Use #28 aluminum wire to attach the leaves to the body. Bend the leaves to stand slightly away from the body.

Step 6: Fray some rope to make the hair and then glue it in place. Make the halo by alternately threading two silver beads between two pink beads until you have a circle about 3/4″ (1.9cm) in diameter. Glue it to the hair. Bend a piece of #28 black wire to make the hanging loop and glue it into the hole in the top of the head.

Step 7: Cut a small piece of lace for the collar. Lay it over the neck area and use dots of glue to hold it in place. Work the neck dowel through the lace and glue it into the body, and then glue the head to the neck.

Step 8: Attach the wings to the back using #2 by 1/4″ (6mm)-long wood screws.

Tools:

Pattern

About the Author

Ruth Chopp began her career as a home economics teacher. When her children left home, she decided to try woodworking, noting that using a scroll saw and a sewing machine are really quite similar. Ruth loves wooden Christmas tree ornaments, so she designed her own; she now has about 300 patterns. Contact Ruth via e-mail at melchopp@comcast.net.